News

New research predicts the location of DNA sequences that can form structures besides the canonical double helix — non-B DNA — in the recently released telomere-to-telomere genomes of the great apes, finding that non-B DNA is enriched in newly deciphered genomic regions, including telomeres and centromeres. Image shows evolutionary relationships among the great apes, left from top to bottom, including chimpanzee, bonobo, human, gorilla and two orangutan species and illustrations of representative chromosomes, right, with canonical helical and non-B DNA. Credit: Dani Zemba and Makova Laboratory / Penn State. Creative Commons

Beyond the double helix: Alternative DNA conformations in ape genomes

Researchers used recently published telomere-to-telomere genomes of humans, chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla and two orangutans to predict locations of DNA sequences that can form other structures besides the double helix.

Penn State molecular biologist Ross Hardison named an AAAS Fellow

Ross Hardison, Academy Professor and professor emeritus of biochemistry and molecular biology, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Unusual DNA folding increases the rates of mutations

DNA sequences that can fold into shapes other than the classic double helix tend to have higher mutation rates than other regions in the human genome. New research by a team of Penn State scientists shows that the elevated mutation rate in these sequences plays a major role in determining regional variation in mutation rates across the genome.

Scientists take a step toward understanding 'jumping genes' effect on the genome

Using state-of-the-art statistical methods, a team of researchers said they may have taken a leap closer to understanding a class of jumping genes, sequences that move to different locations in the human genome, which is the body’s complete set of DNA.

Bioinformatics Community Mourns Huck Alum James Taylor

Highly esteemed data scientist and advocate worked with a number of Huck Institutes researchers at the Center for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics.

New tool reveals DNA structures that influence disease

Disruption of certain DNA structures — called topologically associating domains, or TADs — is linked with the development of disease, including some cancers. With its newly created algorithm that quickly locates and helps elucidate the complex functions of TADs, an international team of researchers is making it easier to study these important structures and help prevent disease.

Francesca Chiaromonte named Huck Chair in Statistics for the Life Sciences

Francesca Chiaromonte, professor of statistics at Penn State, was recently named Lloyd and Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair in Statistics by the University’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

Grant to help pave a big data highway to explore genome, enhance health

A $6.1 million, five-year grant from the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health may help researchers leverage massive amounts of genomic data to develop medical treatments and pharmaceuticals, according to an international team of researchers.

Five Penn State professors honored with Faculty Scholar Medals

Huck-cofunded faculty researcher Song Tan is among the awardees.

Paul Medvedev receives National Science Foundation CAREER award

NSF award will provide funding for Medvedev to develop algorithms for big genomic data